Computer Science Education Week slated for December 9 to 15

Support K-12 Computer Science in Maine

Computer science (CS) drives job growth and innovation throughout our economy and society. Computing occupations are the number 1 source of all new wages in the U.S. and make up more than half of all projected new jobs in STEM fields, making Computer Science one of the most in-demand college degrees. And, computing is used all around us and in virtually every field. It’s a foundational knowledge that all students need.

Yet, computer science is marginalized throughout education. Only 45% of U.S. high schools teach any computer science courses, and only 10% of STEM graduates study it. We need to improve access for all students, including groups who have traditionally been underrepresented. Of note, 58% of all new jobs in STEM fields are in computing, and 10% of STEM graduates are in Computer Science.
 
Computer Science in Maine…

• Maine currently has 1,109 open computing jobs (2.3 times the average demand rate in Maine).
• The average salary for a computing occupation in Maine is $79,127, which is significantly higher than the average salary in the state ($45,300). The existing open jobs alone represent a $87,751,521 opportunity in terms of annual salaries.
• Maine had only 119 computer science graduates in 2017; only 16% were female. Only 344 exams were taken in AP Computer Science by high school students in Maine in 2018 (187 took AP CS A, and 157 took AP CSP).
• Only 23% were female (22% for AP CS A, and 24% for AP CSP); only eight exams were taken by Hispanic or Latino students (three took AP CS A, and five took AP CSP); only three exams were taken by Black students (one took AP CS A, and two took AP CSP); no exams were taken by American Indian or Alaska Native students; only one exam was taken by Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students (one took AP CS A, and none took AP CSP).
• Only 30 schools in Maine (22% of Maine schools with AP programs) offered an AP Computer Science course in 2017-2018 (13% offered AP CS A, and 11% offered AP CSP), which is seven more than the previous year. There are fewer AP exams taken in computer science than in any other STEM subject area.
• Universities in Maine did not graduate a single new teacher prepared to teach computer science in 2016.
• According to a representative survey from Google/Gallup, school administrators in Maine support expanding computer science education opportunities: 73% of principals surveyed think CS is just as or more important than required core classes, and their biggest barrier to offering computer science is the lack of funds for hiring and training teachers.

 
What can you do to support K-12 CS education in Maine?

1. www.code.org/nominate.
2. Send a letter to your school/district asking them to expand computer science offerings at every grade level: www.code.org/promote/letter. And send a letter to your elected officials asking them to support computer science education policy in Maine: www.votervoice.net/Code/campaigns/58463/respond.
3. Find out if your school teaches computer science or submit information about your school's offerings at www.code.org/yourschool.
4. Visit www.code.org/educate/3rdparty to find out about courses and curriculum from a variety of providers, including Code.org.
5. Visit www.code.org/promote/ME to learn more about supporting computer science in your Maine.